2 results

Seafood CRC: PhD: Molecular and quantitative genetics studies to improve breeding programs for key Australian aquaculture species

Project number: 2010-780
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $23,379.00
Principal Investigator: Wayne Knibb
Organisation: University of the Sunshine Coast (USC)
Project start/end date: 8 Sep 2015 - 8 Sep 2015
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Aquaculture
SPECIES
Yellowtail Kingfish

Need

Fat or oil content in fish is an economically important trait as it is one of the primary determinants of flesh quality and consumer perception of the end-product. The market value of a carcass or fillets, particularly of large species such as kingfish and tuna, can be strongly influenced by the percentage of fat in the tissues. Yet little is known about the heritability and genetics behind lipid deposition in YTK, and thus the current ability to select for and improve this highly marketable trait is limited. This research will address this deficiency by developing pedigree-based selection for flesh oil content and identifying, as well as quantifying, genes and gene expression associated with this trait.

Objectives

1. Data on the heritability of flesh oil content from twelve YTK families
2. Quantitative data of gene expression for genes associated with fat metabolism and deposition in YTK
3. Identification of novel genes associated with fat metabolism and deposition in YTK
4. Scientific publications in international journals of the above

Final report

ISBN: 978-1-925982-53-4
Author: Paul Whatmore
Final Report • 2015-08-27
2010-780-DLD-phD.pdf

Summary

Fat or oil content in fish is an economically important trait as it is one of the primary determinants of flesh quality and consumer perception of the end-product. The market value of a carcass or fillets, particularly of large species such as kingfish and tuna, can be strongly influenced by the percentage of fat in the tissues.

Yet little is known about the heritability and genetics behind lipid deposition in Yellowtail Kingfish, and thus the current ability to select for and improve this highly marketable trait is limited. This project addressed this deficiency by developing pedigree-based selection for flesh oil content and identifying, as well as quantifying, genes and gene expression associated with this trait.

Seafood CRC: broodstock and genetic management of Southern Bluefin Tuna and Yellowtail Kingfish

Project number: 2010-768
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $289,822.00
Principal Investigator: Abigail Elizur
Organisation: University of the Sunshine Coast (USC)
Project start/end date: 31 Oct 2010 - 31 Mar 2014
Contact:
FRDC
TAGS
Reproduction
Physiology
Oceanography
Husbandry
SPECIES
Southern Bluefin Tuna
Yellowtail Kingfish

Need

SBT:
There is a need to better identify the relationship between hormonal treatment and spawning performance as this will determine the hormonal manipulation strategy. There is also a need to better
understand factors associated with broodstock mortality, as currently 30% of the broodstock die every year and thus need to be replaced.

We need to develop methods of ensuring that all females participate in spawning every year and how to extend the spawning cycle to have eggs for four months of the year.

There is a need to advance the initiation of spawning to October (from the current norm of February) so that the fingerlings are ready to be transferred to sea cages sufficiently early in the calendar year for optimal seawater temperatures.
SBT broodstock reach spawning age at about 12 years of age. There is therefore a need to examine alternative technologies and approaches to obtain tuna seed from younger fish.

YTK:
This genetic management and selection project is needed to maintain a commercial advantage in a highly competitive market and as a management tool to prevent inbreeding.

It is difficult to source wild YTK broodstock, and the current stock are getting older and larger. There is a need to source new broodstock, and it will be advantageous to use selected F1, provided they can be genetically managed.

Objectives

1. Extend the spawning season of captive SBT from 2 months to 4 months
2. Bring forward the spawning season of SBT to achieve initiation of spawning in September/ October rather than the current February/April.
3. Monitor spawning dynamics of individual SBT broodstock
4. Develop a tool for sexing of SBT broodstock to ensure sufficient number of females are available
5. Maximise the number of SBT females that participate in the spawning and monitor egg quality in relation to hormonal spawning induction.
6. Aim to obtain natural spawning in SBT (i.e without the use of hormonal implants)
7. Investigate alternative spawning induction protocols with less physical impact on the treated fish
8. Determine the suitability of YTK as a surrogate for SBT and explore alternatives if needed
9. To develop a YTK genetic management and genetic breeding program for CST to control and minimise inbreeding (e.g. there will be no inbreeding depression for the commercially produced fish during the life of the project or in perpetuity)
10. To maximize the speed of commercial return by culling poor performing broodstock or by identifying preferred broodstock and using existing and new F1 stock
View Filter

Research

Species

Organisation